Guest Post: Kari Lee Townsend

I would like to welcome Kari Lee Townsend, author of the Fortune Teller Mystery Series, who is here today to discuss one of my favourite characters in the story, Morty the cat.  About to release her third novel in the series, Trouble in the Tarot, on March 5th, 2013, the mystery surrounding Morty is ever present and I know I am ever so curious about this feline creature who graces this world with his presence whenever trouble should happen to show up.  And anyone who has read this series knows that trouble shows up at Sunny's door pretty much regularly.  Take a look at the next pot of trouble she lands in.

For psychic Sunshine Meadows, sometimes fortunes can be deceiving…

Lately Sunny has been experiencing a period of big opportunity: her business in Divinity, New York, is thriving, and Detective Mitch Stone has finally agreed to take Sunny on a date. But thanks to her clairvoyant abilities, Sunny knows better than anyone that life deals out bad cards along with the good.

When Sunny agrees to read tarot cards at the annual summer Solstice Carnival, she meets her Granny Gert’s “arch nemesis” Fiona Atwater, and is overcome by a vision of Fiona in a violent argument. Sunny knows trouble is brewing when Granny and Fiona start having squabbles all over town. But the fighting comes to a head when a local baker gets run over by a big white Cadillac—and Granny and Fiona are found at the crime scene.

Sunny knows she should step aside and let Mitch handle the investigating, but she’s not about to ignore her visions and leave her granny’s life in fate’s hands…

Who or What is Morty?

               Morty is a cat. We all know that. But I get asked all the time just exactly who or what is Morty? Well, I can honestly say, Morty is a work in progress. When I created him, I knew I wanted him to be immortal. What does that mean? Well, that he will never die and is probably centuries old. Part of his mystery is that even I don’t really know exactly who or what he is, and that’s what makes writing his character so much fun. I am trying to slowly reveal his character a little more with each book.

               We know for sure that Sunny has never seen him eat or sleep. He might do so in private, but no one knows for sure. One thing is certain. He can definitely take care of himself. He is bigger than normal, beautifully groomed with pristine white fur that almost seems to glow at times. He has big intense black eyes. He is extremely fast, shows up in all sorts of places, and mysterious things happen when he is around. He always takes part in solving the murder in some way. He is proud, with almost a superior air about him, and he doesn’t warm up to people easily, especially Detective Mitch Stone aka Grumpy Pants. Though he does like his housemate, psychic fortune teller, Sunshine Meadows aka Tink short for Tinkerbelle. And he finds Sunny’s quirky Granny Gert endearing, even though she insists on dressing him up in her handmade bowties.

               For all anyone knows, Morty could be a vampire. He could be a wizard. He could be the reincarnation of some powerful aristocratic figure from long ago. I guess you’ll have to keep reading the books to find out because only time will tell. If you could have it your way, what would you like Morty to be? Inquiring minds want to know. Chime in for a chance to win a copy of book 3 of the Fortune Teller Mysteries TROUBLE IN THE TAROT. Good luck and happy reading. Be sure to drop me a line or post a review. I love hearing what readers think of my books.

Thanks so much for having me.

Author Information

Kari Lee Townsend lives in central New York with her understanding husband, her three busy boys, and her oh-so-dramatic daughter. She is the National Bestselling Author, Agatha & RT Reviewer's Choice Award nominee for her Fortune Teller Mystery series. Kari also writes romance under the name Kari Lee Harmon. Small towns, mystical elements, quirky characters and a few chuckles along the way are what her books are all about. To find out more about Kari and all of her books, check out her websites at: www.karileetownsend.com & www.karileeharmon.com